we have other and more enduring substance. We toil not for that which we put on, because we have raiment which exceedeth all fullers' power in whiteness. To us who live is Christ, to die, gain-in him all things are ours-in him we abound-our God supplying all our needs. Who, my Brethren, that has felt the divine sweetness which the Holy Spirit breatheth from the Son, could be other, if so permitted, than his ambassador. Who that has not felt such breath would dare to be one? Who then, my Brethren, who has felt the divine call, whereby the Spirit selects ambassadors for Christ, would think of choosing for himself another vocation; and who that has not felt that call would dare to be that in profession, which he must be conscious that he is not in reality. Oh! what glory and pleasure is it to be Christ's minister to be employed by God and for God. What office or occupation can compete with ours?with ours which reaches on from this life to and through the ages of eternity! What signifies, my Brethren, any occasional hardness. Yea, what is of any consequence in comparison to our work? Shall we speak of the responsibilities or hardships of the ministry? Ah! no, what are they? What is their importance-what their danger-if the call be God's, and he be with us! And is he not with us in his own work? Ah! that such as we should be the ministers of Jesus Christ. That any of us can look to Heaven's God, and say, "Whose I am, and whom I serve." We may, if we choose, refuse, but who that knows that name would refuse to be a minister of Jesus Christ, or would do other at his call than cry Lord, "Here am I, send me." "Come Lord Jesus, come quickly, and find us in thy work."-Amen. EDINBURGH: PRINTED BY MACPHERSON & SYME, THE REMEMBRANCE OF A DEPARTED GUIDE AND RULER IN THE CHURCH OF GOD. A CHARGE, DELIVERED TO THE CLERGY OF THE ARCHDEACONRY OF MAIDSTONE, At the Ordinary Visitation, MAY, MDCCCXLVIII. BY BENJAMIN HARRISON, M.A. ARCHDEACON OF MAIDSTONE, DOMESTIC CHAPLAIN TO THE MOST REVEREND WILLIAM, LATE LORD PUBLISHED AT THE REQUEST OF THE CLERGY. LONDON: FRANCIS & JOHN RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, AND WATERLOO PLACE. |